Bradbury Mountain Hawkwatch: Week 2

This was a roller coaster week with winds ranging from the southwest to northwest to east. We were able to get in a full count on all but one day. Three of the days were fantastic for this time of year with our first 200+ day occurring on 3/22. Turkey Vultures made up the bulk of this movement, but Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks also made good showings. Two American Goshawks were counted – an immature on 3/25 and adult on 3/28. Our first Osprey was seen on 3/22, a bit on the early side. Along with the blackbirds, American Robins, and Canada Geese migrating this week, we also had more Sandhill Cranes and our first Eastern Phoebe of the year.

Week 2 Totals (current week - total to date – season average)  

BLACK VULTURE  0-1-1

TURKEY VULTURE  432-483-403  

OSPREY 1-1-404

SWALLOW-TAILED KITE 0-0-0   

MISSISSIPPI KITE   0-0-0   

BALD EAGLE 20-43-80

NORTHERN HARRIER 13-17-106

SHARP-SHINNED HAWK 15-19-660

COOPER’S HAWK 11-14-69

AMERICAN GOSHAWK 2-2-6      

RED-SHOULDERED HAWK 37-48-89

BROAD-WINGED HAWK 0-0-1773

SWAINSON’S HAWK 0-0-0

RED-TAILED HAWK 50-63-209

ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK 0-0-1

GOLDEN EAGLE 0-0-0       

AMERICAN KESTREL 8-9-354

MERLIN 1-2-70

PEREGRINE FALCON 0-0-6

UNIDENTIFIED RAPTOR 5-5-47  

TOTAL 595-707-4277